Group support for patients with metastatic cancer. A randomized outcome study.
01 May 1981-Archives of General Psychiatry (American Medical Association)-Vol. 38, Iss: 5, pp 527-533
TL;DR: Objective evidence is provided that a supportive group intervention for patients with metastatic cancer results in psychological benefit and mechanisms underlying the effectiveness of this group intervention are explored.
Abstract: • The effects of weekly supportive group meetings for women with metastatic carcinoma of the breast were systematically evaluated in a one-year, randomized, prospective outcome study. The groups focused on the problems of terminal illness, including improving relationships with family, friends, and physicians and living as fully as possible in the face of death. We hypothesized that this intervention would lead to improved mood, coping strategies, and self-esteem among those in the treatment group. Eighty-six patients were tested at four-month intervals. The treatment group had significantly lower mooddisturbance scores on the Profile of Mood States scale, had fewer maladaptive coping responses, and were less phobic than the control group. This study provides objective evidence that a supportive group intervention for patients with metastatic cancer results in psychological benefit. Mechanisms underlying the effectiveness of this group intervention are explored.
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01 Jan 2003
TL;DR: Why Use The Stress Management Intervention In Women With Breast Cancer?
Abstract: Why Use The Stress Management Intervention In Women With Breast Cancer? Empirical Research With The B-Smart Program Essentials Of The B-Smart Program Implementing The B-Smart Program - Special Considerations And Case Assessing Progress In The B-Smart Program.
124 citations
TL;DR: A model of cognitive‐existential group therapy designed to be integrated over 6 months with regimens of adjuvant chemotherapy given as conventional medical treatment to breast cancer patients with stage 1 and 2 disease is described.
Abstract: We describe a model of cognitive-existential group therapy designed to be integrated over 6 months with regimens of adjuvant chemotherapy given as conventional medical treatment to breast cancer patients with stage 1 and 2 disease Our broad therapy goals are for members to develop a supportive network, work through grief over losses, improve problem solving and develop cognitive strategies to maximise coping, enhance a sense of mastery over life and re-evaluate priorities for the future Specific group themes include death anxiety, fear of recurrence, living with uncertainty, understanding treatment with chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone regimens, the collaborative doctor-patient relationship, body and self image, sexuality, relationships with partner, friends and family, surgical reconstruction, life style effects and future goals Active coping skills are developed through teaching formal problem solving and cognitive restructuring of automatic negative thoughts Technical aspects of the therapy are discussed
124 citations
TL;DR: Cancer treatment, especially chemotherapy, creates changes in the female body that affect sexual desire, sexual functioning, and emotional relationships, and relationship problems occur when couples experience sexual problems, sometimes threatening their attachment.
Abstract: Cancer treatment, especially chemotherapy, creates changes in the female body that affect sexual desire, sexual functioning, and emotional relationships. Although healthy women also experience physiological changes leading to menopause, these changes occur gradually leaving them sexually active 5 to 10 years longer and with fewer problems in sexual functioning. Studies show that breast cancer patients experience sexual problems soon after treatment, and continue in follow-up. Research also describes the normal decline in sexuality among healthy women as they age. Furthermore, relationship problems occur when couples experience sexual problems, sometimes threatening their attachment.These problems can be anticipated and addressed through the physician's communication with their patient. Other solutions include effective psychologic and emotional counseling and pharmaceutical and over the counter assistance for hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and pain to assist with the physiological issues.
124 citations
TL;DR: These pilot studies suggest that head and neck cancer patients can benefit from different psychosocial interventions, and quality-of-life questionnaires were well accepted and sensitive to changes during the studies.
Abstract: Methods: Two studies of psychosocial interventions in head and neck cancer patients at different stages of their disease were performed. We explored the feasibility and effectiveness of different approaches, offered for the first time to this population. The first study concerned long-term group psychological therapy for patients with newly diagnosed head and neck cancer. Quality of life was measured longitudinally for 1 year and compared with that of a control group. The second study comprised a short-term psychoeducational program 1 year after treatment for head and neck cancer. Quality-of-life assessments were made repeatedly from diagnosis until 1 month after the intervention. Results: Thirteen patients started the psychological group therapy, and 8 of them completed both the intervention and evaluation procedure. The quality of life of the therapy group improved more than that of a control group in most areas measured during the study year, in particular psychiatric morbidity, social functioning, emotional functioning, and global quality of life. The results indicate benefits from the therapy, although the therapy group scored worse than the control group at diagnosis. Most of the variables representing functioning and symptoms improved after the 1-week psychoeducational program, especially items reflecting ″trouble eating” and ″problems enjoying your meals.” Patients’ judgments of the intervention quality indicated satisfaction with all separate elements, mostly education, about cancer and the opportunity to socialize with the other guests. Conclusion: These pilot studies suggest that head and neck cancer patients can benefit from different psychosocial interventions. Quality-of-life questionnaires were well accepted and sensitive to changes during the studies. Thus our early findings seem promising and would justify confirmation in larger studies. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1999;120:507-16.)
123 citations
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TL;DR: In this paper, the effects of reward or reinforcement on preceding behavior depend in part on whether the person perceives the reward as contingent on his own behavior or independent of it, and individuals may also differ in generalized expectancies for internal versus external control of reinforcement.
Abstract: The effects of reward or reinforcement on preceding behavior depend in part on whether the person perceives the reward as contingent on his own behavior or independent of it. Acquisition and performance differ in situations perceived as determined by skill versus chance. Persons may also differ in generalized expectancies for internal versus external control of reinforcement. This report summarizes several experiments which define group differences in behavior when Ss perceive reinforcement as contingent on their behavior versus chance or experimenter control. The report also describes the development of tests of individual differences in a generalized belief in internal-external control and provides reliability, discriminant validity and normative data for 1 test, along with a description of the results of several studies of construct validity.
21,451 citations
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01 Jan 1969
TL;DR: In this article, the implications of terminal illness for patients and for those involved in their care were discussed, and patients invited to talk about their experience found great relief in expressing their fear and anger and were able to move towards a state of acceptance and peace.
Abstract: Although most areas of human experience are nowadays discussed freely and openly, the subject of death is still surrounded by conventional attitudes and reticence that offer only fragile comfort because they evade the real issues. The dying may thus be denied the opportunity of sharing their feelings and discussing their needs with family, friends, or hospital staff. Although receiving devoted medical care, a dying patient is often socially isolated and avoided, since professional staff and students can find contact painful and embarrasing.
Aware of the strains imposed on all sides by this situation, Dr Kubler-Ross established a seminar at the University of Chicago to consider the implications of terminal illness for patients and for those involved in their care. Patients invited to talk about their experience often found great relief in expressing their fear and anger and were able to move towards a state of acceptance and peace. The seminar, initially composed of students of medicine, sociology, psychology, and theology, but later joined by hospital staff and relatives of patients, enabled many members to come to terms with their own feelings and to respond constructi to what the patients had to teach them.
5,220 citations
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1,254 citations
TL;DR: A study of 800 outpatient visits to Children's Hospital of Los Angeles as discussed by the authors explored the effect of verbal interaction between doctor and patient on patient satisfaction and follow-through on follow-up.
Abstract: Study of 800 outpatient visits to Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles to explore the effect of the verbal interaction between doctor and patient on patient satisfaction and follow-through on...
947 citations